Van der Poel: “I Won’t Focus on Road Cycling in 2026 — My Goal Is the 2028 Olympics on the Mountain Bike, Then Possibly a Switch to MotoGP”.
In a surprising turn of events that could reshape the world of cycling, Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel has announced that he will be stepping away from road cycling after the 2025 season. In an interview with Dutch media this week, the 30-year-old rider confirmed that he will not be targeting the 2026 road season and will instead shift his focus entirely toward preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where he aims to compete in mountain biking—the discipline where his cycling career began.
“I’ve achieved a lot on the road, and 2025 might be my last full season in that discipline,” Van der Poel said. “From 2026, I want to give everything to mountain biking. The Olympics in 2028 are a huge goal for me.”
Van der Poel, who has won multiple Monuments including Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, as well as the World Road Race Championships in 2023, is one of the most versatile and successful cyclists of his generation. Known for his explosive power and fearless racing style, he has excelled across cyclocross, road cycling, and mountain biking, a rare feat in modern cycling.
His ambition to return to mountain biking for the Olympics is not new. Van der Poel previously competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he was considered a strong medal contender before a crash ended his race early. The disappointment has clearly lingered, fueling his desire for redemption in Los Angeles.
But what caught fans and the media off guard was Van der Poel’s revelation about life after cycling: a potential move to motorcycle racing, specifically MotoGP.
“I’ve always had a passion for motorsports,” he said. “Once I’ve given everything I can in cycling, I’d love to explore motorcycle racing. It’s a long shot, but it’s something I’m seriously considering. MotoGP is the ultimate dream.”
Van der Poel’s interest in motorsports isn’t entirely new. His family has a deep sporting pedigree—his father Adrie van der Poel was a cycling legend, and his grandfather Raymond Poulidor was a Tour de France icon—but motorsports have always been a personal fascination for Mathieu. He’s been seen at MotoGP paddocks before and has previously spoken about his love for speed and engines.
As for 2025, Van der Poel confirmed he will still compete on the road, with goals likely including the Spring Classics, the World Championships, and possibly the Tour de France, although he hasn’t finalized his race calendar.
The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for Van der Poel—one that could end with Olympic gold and potentially a switch to an entirely different sporting arena.
For fans, it’s a bittersweet moment: the beginning of the end of one of cycling’s most electrifying road careers, and perhaps the start of an equally thrilling journey—on two wheels of a very different kind.
Be the first to comment